In the Tennesse incident, Tesla owner Juri Shibayama, a doctor, in an account on the Tesla website, said he was driving at 70 mph on an interstate highway when he struck a three-pronged trailer hitch in the right lane, causing the car to "lever up." Shibayama said he was able to maintain control.

A minute later, the car told Shibayama to "pull over safely. Car is shutting down."

He pulled over, grabbed his belongings and moved away from the car, which then caught fire. Shibayama end his acount with an endoresement of the Tesla, saying he would "buy another one in a heartbeat."

Tesla has become a controversial car in Texas, with state officials enforcing Texas franchise law provisions that prohibit direct sales of the vehicles within the state because Tesla has no dealerships and sell direct from the factory. Tesla has had to rely on loyal owners in Texas to show off its vehicles.

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